04-17-2008, 06:46 AM
Going through the complete literature (“Echo’s of War”) available in English on the subject (it’s a benefit of not speaking the source language, not having to fret about going to the library and being burdened with mounds of sources :)) the numbers and their order in the book are questionable:
The first Bravery s/n is within 150 of a number in Schmitt, making it more likely to be in the ‘block’ of awards issued to a given unit. The CSM and second Bravery are not close to numbers in Schmitt – their “likely” dates are simply taken from the award preceding and succeeding them. The third Bravery is preceded and succeeded by awards noted as likely catch up awards – hence the high number and low date.
While nowhere near conclusive the info raises questions. The pattern of authorization dates isn’t logical. The CSM is out of step. And why a catch up award later, when the man was obviously getting noticed at the time for his actions? As well, a catch up award would date to 1944, yet the privileges date in the medal book is 1945.
Anyway, this is sleuthing not really worth the name – Schmitt’s book was probably never meant to be used this way. And there are plenty of examples in the book of a medal being “sandwiched” between two awards but having a wildly different authorization date. So the “out of step” CSM could easily be legit. Most troubling to me is the third, very high numbered Bravery, coming in a range of numbers for catch up awards.
Whatever the case, it’s fun to look up and ponder.
Code:
Award s/n Likely Authorization Date?
Bravery 2.057.470 Jan-45
CSM 2.186.452 May-45
Bravery 2.165.838 Jan/Feb-45
Bravery 3.549.605 Aug-44The first Bravery s/n is within 150 of a number in Schmitt, making it more likely to be in the ‘block’ of awards issued to a given unit. The CSM and second Bravery are not close to numbers in Schmitt – their “likely” dates are simply taken from the award preceding and succeeding them. The third Bravery is preceded and succeeded by awards noted as likely catch up awards – hence the high number and low date.
While nowhere near conclusive the info raises questions. The pattern of authorization dates isn’t logical. The CSM is out of step. And why a catch up award later, when the man was obviously getting noticed at the time for his actions? As well, a catch up award would date to 1944, yet the privileges date in the medal book is 1945.
Anyway, this is sleuthing not really worth the name – Schmitt’s book was probably never meant to be used this way. And there are plenty of examples in the book of a medal being “sandwiched” between two awards but having a wildly different authorization date. So the “out of step” CSM could easily be legit. Most troubling to me is the third, very high numbered Bravery, coming in a range of numbers for catch up awards.
Whatever the case, it’s fun to look up and ponder.
Steiner: "Why do you want it so badly? It's just a worthless piece of metal. Look."
